Community meeting planned to discuss public safety concerns on Pittsburgh's South Side

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and other city leaders will meet Tuesday with South Side residents to discuss public safety concerns along the neighborhood’s East Carson Street.

The meeting comes after some business owners have expressed concerns about recent violence along a busy stretch of East Carson, the main artery through the bustling business and entertainment district.

Gainey over the weekend walked through the area with City Councilman Bruce Kraus, who represents the South Side, and other local leaders. Several visitors and business owners in the corridor late Saturday said they felt more comfortable as officials bolstered the police presence in the area, though some still expressed concerns.

Kraus said it was helpful for the mayor to witness the activity along East Carson firsthand.

“You can’t fully comprehend the complexity of what is taking place on Carson Street unless you’re there physically,” he said. “You have to be immersed in the activity taking place and see it firsthand.”

During the walk with Gainey, Kraus said the officials witnessed public intoxication, fights and open marijuana use.

Kraus said crowds appeared to be smaller than on a typical weekend night. He suspected that could have been because of media coverage and discussions about violence in the area, which have left some people wary of patronizing South Side businesses.

While Kraus acknowledged the immediate need to solve issues arising on East Carson, he said it’s also important to note that the problem is not a widespread issue impacting all of the South Side. Only a small number of businesses contribute to issues arising in the area, he said, though many legitimate businesses nearby are feeling the harmful effects.

“We have a 33-block business district here,” Kraus said. “We have six businesses in a six-block district of the street that define the entirety of this entire historic district.”

Kraus said he walked with Gainey between 12th and 20th streets. All of the crowds were between blocks 12th and 17th streets, he said.

“The idea that South Side is imploding, that is a false representation of what’s taking place,” Kraus said.

Kraus said he and the mayor have discussed potential solutions to the issues taking place, though he declined to offer specifics.

“The real challenge before us is how systemically this needs to change,” he said, explaining that nightlife should not be associated with underage participants, illegal marijuana use or violence.

Tuesday’s meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at South Side Market House on Bedford Avenue, as well as through the online platform Zoom. People can RSVP to attend in person by contacting info@southsidechamber.org or by calling 412-431-3360. People can register online to participate through Zoom.

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